Southern California -- this just in

Irvine swim coach sentenced in sex with 15-year-old

October 28, 2011 | 7:49
pm

An Irvine swim instructor was sentenced Friday to 16 months in state prison for having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student.

Todd Robert Sousa, 37, co-owned Swim Venture, which offered lessons to adults and children at leased pools in Orange County. Prosecutors said that from April 2010 to February, he had escalating sexual contact, including intercourse, with the girl at his office, in his car and in an equipment closet.

At the sentencing, her mother and stepfather told the court that the girl had been an avid swimmer, but now is depressed and refuses to practice. Sousa also will be required to register as a sex offender.

Under so-called child safety zone laws, he will be barred from entering parks in county territory, Irvine, La Habra, Los Alamitos and Westminster unless he obtains advance permission from police. Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills and Yorba Linda are considering passing similar bans on park use by sex offender, prosecutors said.